By KATHY MULADY, P-I REPORTER

Published 10:00 pm, Monday, December 8, 2008

Despite a long and unusually sharp public debate, the Seattle City Council voted 6-3 Monday to support developing a $600 million streetcar network linking the city's neighborhoods and downtown.

Councilman Nick Licata, who was the leading opponent last week, was successful in getting the council to adopt a list of conditions that would have to be met before the streetcar plan moves ahead.

The council agreed that there has to be proof of committed funding, proof that the streetcar network will provide a measurable improvement to transit, and agreements in writing that the streetcars won't affect transit service, including buses, in other neighborhoods.

"The conditions mean there will be another way to stop the streetcar network if necessary," Licata said. "You have to detach the emotion from the objective. I extracted my pound of flesh."

"We don't know how many we need, where they will go, and we ain't got no money," McIver said.

Rasmussen said there is a transit system in place, trolleys and buses, that could be expanded and improved for a much smaller investment.

One of the big differences between streetcars and trolleys is cost. Streetcars cost more than $30 million per mile, while trolleys cost around $8 million, he said.

The streetcar network would include the South Lake Union line, which already has been built and is running. A First Hill line linking the Chinatown-International District and Capitol Hill has received $120 million as part of the Sound Transit transportation package approved by voters.

The Central line, the most controversial stretch, probably would run from Seattle Center to King Street Station, along First Avenue. Council members hope money for it will be included in the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement funding.

Many First Avenue merchants and residents are vehemently opposed to the idea, worried that the streetcar will take up parking spaces or increase traffic.

Chris Van Dyk said the anger was palpable at the last Belltown community meeting and promised opposition from the community if the plan goes forward.

"If you really want to do something to help our businesses, give us more trolleys," he said.

But members of Sustainable Belltown say the idea is worth considering. "We don't want to rule out a streetcar," organizer Elizabeth Campbell said.

Without the Central line, a crucial link would be missing from the network.

"We all know it is easier to stop things in Seattle than it is to take leadership to move forward and build something," said Drago, chairwoman of the council's transportation committee.

"We need to keep momentum going and work toward developing a connection between the South Lake Union and First Hill lines so that the system works efficiently and provides more transportation choices for citizens in these neighborhoods."

Other potential lines include a Fremont-Ballard line connection to South Lake Union, and a University District line.

Great cities all over the world have great transportation systems," Drago said.